When Cadillac introduced its new V-12 for the 1931 model year, it became the only car company to offer V-8, V-12, and V-16 models—and at the same time. In fact, it is widely considered that this year was the beginning of the trend that eventually led Cadillac to dominate the luxury car field over longstanding leader Packard, thanks to an utterly awe-inspiring lineup that included 134-, 140-, and 143-inch-wheelbase chassis and bodies by both Fisher and Fleetwood in a dazzling range of styles.

While the V-12 and V-16 garnered all the fanfare, it was the hardy, well-engineered V-8 models that sold in steady numbers, with 10,717 produced during the 1931 model year, all on the 134-inch frame—six inches shorter than the 1930 models, with the result being a car with a more sporty appearance.

The register of 1931 V-8 Cadillacs assembled by Earl Verlander, published in February 1967, recounted that about 200 examples of the Fleetwood-bodied phaeton, style number 4560, had been produced. Charles J. Noto’s example, offered here, carries body number 23, and was delivered through Jerry Duryea, Inc., of Springfield, Massachusetts, a dealership owned by the man whose father co-invented one of the first American automobiles and who himself served as president of both the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Veteran Motor Car Club of America.

The Cadillac was restored in its present remarkable color scheme of two shades of vermillion over black leather in the late 1990s. In 2009 it won a Senior First Prize in Antique Automobile Club of America competition, while in the ownership of Philip Capozzoli. Well-preserved during its time in the Noto Collection, it remains a truly magnificent automobile, accentuated by numerous accessories, including a radiator stone guard, Goddess mascot, dual driving lights, side-mounted spares with covers and mirrors, wind wings for both front and rear windshields, and a luggage rack with trunk—a Full Classic that truly looks its part.